Name: Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 4 boneless chicken breasts (approx. 1 kg); 4 tbsps olive oil; juice of 1 lemon; 1 clove of garlic, minced; 2 tbsp dried oregano; salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste; 1 cucumber; 2 cloves of garlic, minced; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 500g strained yogurt (18 ounces); 1-2 tbsps red wine vinegar; pinch of salt; 8 pita breads; olive oil, for brushing; 1-2 tsps dried oregano, for seasoning; 1 tomato, sliced; 1 red onion, sliced; fried potatoes (optional); romaine (cos) lettuce (optional); salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste; 8-9 wooden skewers

If you’re craving a vibrant, fresh Mediterranean meal, this Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe is your go-to. Think tender marinated chicken grilled perfectly and paired with creamy, tangy tzatziki—comforting yet light, every bite is a little celebration!

The image shows five metal skewers with grilled chicken pieces placed on a white plate. The chicken is light brown with visible char marks and slightly blackened edges, showing a grilled texture. There are two lemon wedges on the plate, positioned near fresh green dill leaves to the left side of the skewers. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with a blue and white striped cloth and a small bunch of red cherry tomatoes in the lower left corner. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this souvlaki recipe countless times, and every time it brings that unmistakable Greek charm right to my kitchen. It’s simple to prep, super flavorful, and perfect for sharing with friends or family.

Fresh and fragrant marinade: Lemon, oregano, and garlic pack the chicken with authentic Mediterranean flavors.
Homemade tzatziki sauce: Creamy cucumber yogurt sauce that balances the smoky grilled chicken.
Quick grilling: Ready in just under 10 minutes cooking time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or weekend cookouts.
Versatile serving: Eat it straight from the skewers, wrap it in warm pita, or pile it with salad and fried potatoes for a festive meal.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Gathering fresh ingredients is key here. For the best results, look for good-quality chicken breasts and fresh vegetables—your tzatziki and marinade will thank you. Don’t skip the olive oil; it’s essential for flavor and grilling.

Flat lay of boneless raw chicken breasts, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a whole bright yellow lemon cut in half showing juice, a single garlic clove, a small white bowl with dried oregano leaves, a whole fresh cucumber, a small white bowl of thick strained yogurt, a small white bowl with deep red wine vinegar, a whole ripe red tomato sliced, a red onion sliced into rings, a few fresh romaine lettuce leaves, several whole uncracked brown eggs, and a neat stack of eight round pita breads, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless chicken breasts: Lean and tender, they soak up the marinade beautifully and grill up juicy.
Olive oil: Adds richness and helps create that perfect char on the grill.
Lemon juice: Brightens the marinade with fresh acidity.
Garlic: Provides aromatic depth in both marinade and tzatziki.
Dried oregano: Classic Greek herb that really defines the flavor.
Salt & freshly ground pepper: Essential for seasoning all components properly.
Cucumber: Grated and perfectly squeezed to keep the tzatziki thick and refreshing.
Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a silky texture to the tzatziki sauce.
Strained yogurt: The creamy base for tzatziki, providing tang and body.
Red wine vinegar: Just a splash to add zing to the sauce.
Pita breads: Warm, soft, and slightly toasted for wrapping or dipping.
Tomato & red onion: Fresh slices to add crunch and sweetness.
Dried oregano (for seasoning): Sprinkled on pita for extra aroma and flavor.
Fried potatoes (optional): Classic addition for texture and comfort in wraps.
Romaine lettuce (optional): Adds fresh crunch and a bit of green balance.
Wooden skewers: Soaked before grilling to avoid burning and ensure smooth cooking.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you like it extra garlicky, want to add a splash of spice, or tone it down for the kids, there’s so much room to play around and still end up with a delicious meal.

Herb Swap: I sometimes replace dried oregano with fresh rosemary or thyme for a slightly different aromatic touch that pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken.
Chicken Thighs for Juiciness: If you want extra tender and juicy skewers, chicken thighs are a wonderful alternative to breasts and work beautifully with the marinade.
Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken for halloumi or large mushroom caps brushed with the same marinade for a satisfying vegetarian twist that grills just as nicely.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika into the marinade if you like a subtle smoky heat that wakes up the flavors.
Seasonal Add-Ins: Toss some colorful bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini slices on the skewers for a veggie boost – they grill to sweet perfection in the same amount of time.
Serving Ideas: For a refreshing crunch, I like to add crisp romaine lettuce and sprinkle sumac on the finished skewers. Fried potatoes as a side or inside the wrap take this meal to a whole new level.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe

The image shows a white plate with two metal skewers of grilled chicken pieces placed diagonally. The chicken has a browned, slightly charred texture with visible herbs on top. To the right of the skewers is a colorful salad made of cucumber slices, red onion rings, cherry tomato halves, black olives, and small white cheese cubes. On the left side of the plate, there are folded pieces of pita bread, stacked neatly, accompanied by two lemon wedges below the bread. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with parts of a blue and white striped cloth and another lemon slice visible around the plate. A clear bowl with white sauce and green herbs is seen near the top edge of the image photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken with Love

First things first, cut your chicken breasts into nice, even 2-3 cm chunks—this helps them cook evenly. Toss them in a large bowl along with olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. I like to really get in there with my hands and massage the marinade into every piece. Cover the bowl with cling film and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but up to an hour if you can wait. This little nap in the fridge is key for maximum flavor and tenderness.

Step 2: Make Your Creamy Tzatziki Sauce

While the chicken marinates, turn your attention to the tzatziki. Peel your cucumber, scoop out the seeds, then grate it finely into a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This draws out extra moisture so your sauce won’t be watery. After that, wrap the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to get rid of as much liquid as you can.

In a blender, combine the olive oil and minced garlic until smooth and well blended. Then mix this mixture with your drained cucumber, thick strained yogurt, red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Blend or stir everything together until silky and combined. Pop the tzatziki into the fridge to chill—this sauce is best served cold and fresh for that perfect cooling finish to the grilled chicken.

Step 3: Assemble the Skewers

Don’t forget to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before grilling—this little trick stops them from burning on the grill. Then, thread your marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers. I like to leave a little room between pieces to ensure even cooking and juicy results.

Step 4: Grill to Perfection

Heat your grill or griddle pan on high until it's smoking hot—this ensures a lovely sear. Grill the chicken skewers for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning frequently so they get beautifully golden and cooked through without drying out. You’re aiming for that gorgeous char and juicy tenderness inside.

Step 5: Warm Your Pita Breads

While your chicken is grilling, preheat your oven to 250°C. Brush both sides of your pita breads lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and dried oregano for an aromatic touch. Place an oven tray upside down at the bottom of the oven and lay the pita breads on top—this technique gives them gentle heat without direct contact with the pan. Pop them in for about 2 minutes until they’re warm, soft with a slight toast. Alternatively, a quick warm on a griddle pan works perfectly too.

Step 6: Serve Up Your Souvlaki Feast

Slice some red onions and arrange them on a large platter, then place your grilled chicken souvlaki skewers on top. Drizzle with a glug of extra virgin olive oil and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve everything warm alongside the pita breads and chilly tzatziki sauce. Feeling indulgent? Create a wrap by spreading tzatziki on the pita, adding chicken, slices of tomato, red onion, optional fried potatoes and some crunchy Romaine lettuce. Roll it up and enjoy the authentic Greek street food experience right at your table!

Top Tip

Getting your Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe just right is all about a few simple but essential techniques. These tips will make your grilling smoother and your flavors shine.

Marinate Comfortably: I always recommend marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than an hour, to let the lemon and oregano deeply infuse the meat without overpowering its natural juiciness.
Squeeze the Cucumber Well: When making the tzatziki, be sure to squeeze out all excess water from the grated cucumber. I learned this the hard way—too much moisture can make the sauce runny and dilute the flavors.
Soak Your Skewers: Soaking wooden skewers in water before grilling is a game changer—it prevents them from catching fire and keeps your chicken evenly cooked and beautifully presented.
Warm Your Pita Properly: Brushing the pita breads with olive oil and seasoning them with oregano before warming gives them an irresistible aroma and a lovely texture that flawlessly complements the souvlaki.

How to Serve Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe

A skewer with five pale pink chicken pieces, each lightly seasoned with visible herbs and spices, placed in a row on a white sheet of parchment paper. The skewer is silver and shiny, with a looped end on the left side. The white parchment paper rests on a wooden surface with a natural brown grain pattern. The chicken pieces have a slightly wet, smooth texture from the marinade, and the spices are small green and black specks scattered over the meat. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Freshness is key with this Greek dish. Try topping your skewers with thin slices of red onion and ripe tomato for a burst of color and flavor. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of dried oregano make an aromatic finishing touch. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up all the luscious flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

To round out your meal, warm pita breads are a must—they’re perfect for wrapping those juicy skewers and dollops of tzatziki. Optional additions like crispy fried potatoes and crunchy romaine lettuce add texture and balance. A simple Greek salad or roasted vegetables also pair wonderfully for that authentic Mediterranean vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooked, allow your souvlaki skewers to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The tzatziki sauce should also be kept chilled and consumed within 3 days for the best flavor and freshness.

Freezing

Chicken souvlaki can be frozen if you want to prepare in advance. After threading the chicken onto the skewers, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before grilling.

Reheating

To reheat, warm your souvlaki on a grill or griddle pan over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until heated through. Avoid the microwave if possible — it can make the chicken dry. Reheat the pita in the oven at 250°C for 2 minutes to regain that fresh-out-of-the-oven softness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will give you juicier, more tender souvlaki with a slightly richer flavor. Just cut them into the same 2-3 cm pieces and marinate the same way.

How long should I marinate the chicken for the best taste?

For optimal flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. If you have extra time, up to 1 hour is ideal, but longer than that may start to break down the texture due to the lemon juice.

What’s the best way to prevent the wooden skewers from burning?

Soaking wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes before grilling prevents them from burning. This simple step keeps your skewers intact and adds safety to your grilling.

Can I prepare the tzatziki sauce ahead of time?

Yes! Tzatziki can be made a few hours or even a day in advance. Keep it chilled in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld and serve it cold for that refreshing, creamy taste.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki Recipe brings a little Mediterranean sunshine into your kitchen! It’s such a satisfying dish – simple ingredients, bright flavors, and that unbeatable grilled aroma. Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a gathering with friends, this recipe is always a winner. Enjoy every juicy bite and don’t forget to have fun with the garnishes and sides to make it your own. Kali orexi!